DECUS 12 BIT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NEWSLETTER

The January 1977 (Number 20) DECUS 12 Bit Special Interest Group (SIG) Newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of developments, discussions, and user contributions following the Las Vegas Symposium.

Key Symposium Outcomes & Initiatives:

• Library & Software: DECUS approved the acquisition of a PDP-12 to enhance media conversion and program reproduction services, with substantial volunteer effort supporting its implementation. DEC is exploring a more active role in promoting and distributing popular user-written software, focusing on distribution rather than full product support.
• RTS/8 & DECNET/8: Version 2B of RTS/8 and DECNET/8 Level 2 are scheduled for release in April/May 1977, featuring new executive requests and tasks. An RTS/8 Working Group was formed to foster bidirectional communication between users and Digital's PDP-8 software development personnel, led by Lee Nichols.
• MACREL Assembler: The MACREL assembler and relocating linking loader were demonstrated and are slated for release in 1977, potentially with a preliminary version followed by a finalized release alongside OS/8 V4.
• OS/8 & Memory: OS/8 Version 4 is expected by the end of 1977 to address date handling issues and support full MACREL capabilities. Informal discussions explored extending PDP-8 memory addressing beyond 32K.
• New Hardware: A "super Memory Management Unit" for the PDP-8 was announced, offering dynamic instruction trapping and field relocation to enable full-speed foreground/background systems like RTS-8 and MULTI8.

User Contributions & Feedback:

• Software & Utilities: The newsletter highlighted various user-contributed programs, including 16-bit packing OS/8 system and handlers for Sykes floppy disks, file listers, magtape utilities, an image processing system, 8080 microprocessor development tools (assembler, simulator), SNOBOL-8.2, and directory recovery programs.
• Concerns & Bugs: A significant letter from the SIG Chairman, Robert Hassinger, expressed ongoing frustration with DEC's unclear policy on 12-bit software maintenance and requested a firm statement. Discussions also covered OS/8 date handling complexities, calls for increased OEM participation, and several Software Problem Reports (SPRs) detailing bugs in programs like DIRECT, PIP, PAL8, and FORTRAN II (GOTO compilation). Warnings were issued regarding the unpredictable effects of left shifts on floating-point accuracy.
• Terminal Support: Patches and handlers were shared for integrating VT50 terminals with OS/8 systems, including improvements for deletion, scrolling, and a TECO-like editor.
• Community: The Washington Area 12 Bit Local Users Group was mentioned, and a "wish book" section was proposed for the newsletter to gather user needs.

The document also provided practical details such as newsletter submission guidelines and contact information for various contributors.